How to Think and Grow Rich (and also how to get things done).

Napoleon Hill (1883-1970), the author of the most well-known self-help book ever published–Think and Grow Rich–emphasized action rather than only thinking, wishing and dreaming.

“Don’t wait. The time will never
be just right.”

“Patience, Persistence and Perspiration makes an unbeatable
combination for success.”

“Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire
and begin at once, whether you are ready or not,
to put this plan into action.”

That last quote fits several people who have worked with me to produce a Worship Without Worry seminar in their area, in the last few months (and it also can fit you in your work and life):

*Tim Hawkins, U.S. Attorneys Office, Boise, Idaho (He’s the Law Enforcement Coordinator and Intelligence Specialist and a nice man!)
*Tony Snow, Reserve Deputy with the Etowah County, Alabama Sheriff’s Department (Tony and that Reserve Force are tremendous workers in many ways.)
*Lee Nathans, Security Director of Temple Israel in Columbus, Ohio (Also chair of the Bexley, Ohio Police-Community advisory board.)
*Steve Campbell, pastor of the Garden Church and Better Way Ministries, also in Columbus (He and Wanda are busy every day and night with a challenging urban ministry.)
*Mark Mitchell of Foothill Family Church near Irvine, California (A business person who gives of himself to his work, family and church, continuously.)
*Jim Caauwe, Crime Prevention Specialist for the Savage, Minnesota, Police Department (This man knows how to make things happen! He had an accomplished law enforcement career and now is involved with a zillion things in the Savage community.)
*Dorothy Strebe, Operations Director for Triumph Lutheran Church, Moorhead, Minnesota (Sheriff Bill Bergquist started the project but relied on Dorothy to arrange it and coordinate it–and she certainly did.)
*Chief of Police David Bentrud, Waite Park, MN, Police Department (We have a seminar set for February 27th, 2014–and he only made the first contact a few weeks ago That is some quick action!)

What they all have in common is that they started, worked hard, took care of details and finished a project successfully. They didn’t just talk about one day hosting a seminar, they went from asking about making it happen to bringing all the elements together–and they took care of details that make a difference.

By comparison, I know people who have been talking for years about wanting to do a lot of things–not just hosting a seminar, but also about finances, fitness, relationships, clearing clutter or dealing with a work problem. They will probably still be talking about all of those things in five years, because they’re waiting for conditions to be right, better weather, someone to help, a new boss, less other things going on, more support, etc., etc.

What Napoleon Hill would say: Think and Grow Rich, provides steps to success, based on visualizing the success you seek and aiming your life toward it. The essence of his advice on how to get what you want:

1.) Clearly picture what you want, in great detail. Make it the vision towards which you aim your energies.

2.) Decide what it will take in time, effort, cost, sacrifice, etc., to get what you want.

3.) Starting working toward your goal and never give up until you get what you want–then keep paying the price to maintain it.

There is more to the book and his concepts, of course–but those really are the main steps. They have helped millions of people find ways to accomplish their goals. They also point the way to how to get any project started and finished. Yes, the one you’ve been thinking about but haven’t worked on yet. Yes, the one you’ve procrastinated about for weeks, months or years. Yes, even the one you think seems close to impossible.

Napoleon Hill didn’t say this next thought, but he should have: “You’ll never be able to drive anywhere if you wait for all the lights to turn green at once.” None of the people I listed, above, made a list of why they couldn’t get a seminar produced in their communities–they simply said they wanted to produce one and the next thing I knew, it happened.

How you can apply it: Write down something you would like to accomplish or have talked about doing or have on a wish list for yourself. Do something toward that project or goal before you go to bed tonight–preferably something constructive that starts to overcome the inertia that has kept you essentially motionless. Over the next days, weeks and months, whatever time it takes, do something every day to keep going and keep going and keep going, until you can see the successful finished product.

There is a lot of work involved in that brief overview, I realize that. But, once you start and move forward just a bit, things will happen and it will become easier. Honest!

My old sheriff always said he’d rather have one person on his team who could have a good idea and get it done than five who would each have spectacular ideas but never get them accomplished. He also said he would rather they didn’t do them at all than only do them half-way and disappoint everyone.

He once gave me something to do and I fooled around with it for six months. He called me in and sort of took the work back from me and gave to someone else, sitting right there in front of me! It was humiliating and I never did that again.

Comment by Walt | November 29, 2013

The biggest chore for me is to just get started. Sometimes I have to think of the Lord pulling me up from my chair or pushing me into work!

I’ve read Think and Grow Rich and enjoyed it but didn’t get rich, so I must not have thought enough! P.

Comment by Servant Spirit | December 17, 2013

I bought a copy of TAGR for my son last year. He calls it his New Age book, which is funny when you think of when it was written. I think it relies too much on “magical” thinking, but it is very motivational from the viewpoint of making you want to get up and get going. Maybe I’ll get you to Seattle for a church security class!

Comment by K.B. | December 19, 2013

The gatekeepers in our department stop everything good from happening by finding one problem after another or just by not letting information get through to their bosses. At some point, if ideas are going to come to pass, there has to be some cooperation and assistance. (I keep at’em though!)

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